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Qatar rebuts concerns over World Cup workers' safety

Organisers of 2022 World Cup refute accusations against it by rights group over outdoor working hours in intense heat.

28 Sep 2017 11:33 GMT

The 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup will take place from November 21 till December 18 [Naseem Zeitoon/Reuters]

Qatar has rebutted a human rights group's report that expressed concern about the safety of workers building stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in scorching summer heat.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), which is overseeing the organisation of the football tournament in the Gulf state, issued a statement on Wednesday responding to concerns raised by US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The organisationsaid on Wednesday that Qatar must do more to protect construction workers from intense heat and humidity that often reach potentially fatal levels.

While acknowledging the constructive feedback, the committee said: "We wholeheartedly refute the suggestion the SC has 'abdicated responsibility', or that the SC has failed to protect the lives of workers on our projects.

WATCH: Qatar's Khalifa stadium ready for 2022 world cup (01:53)

"We not only strive to ensure high health and safety standards on our sites, but also invest in initiatives to improve and enhance workers' welfare," the statement added.

HRW noted existing regulations in Qatar only restrict outdoor work from 11:30am to 3pm during the period from June 15 to August 31.

"But climate data shows that weather conditions in Qatar outside those hours and dates frequently reach levels that can result in potentially fatal, heat-related illnesses in the absence of appropriate rest," it said.

Qatari organisers offered reassurances of their efforts to monitor data on a year-long basis and review working conditions on construction sites using an internationally recognised Humidex system.

Officials said last December that labourers would be given solar-powered "cooling" hard hats in the summer to reduce body temperature.